da luck： Steven Pienaar’s move to Tottenham wasn’t just another massive transfer coup for manager Harry Redknapp. Sure, he signed on a minimal fee and adds strength in depth and real quality to a midfield already full of class. But what does it say about Spurs when the team he turned down was their London rivals and Premier League champions, Chelsea?
da bwin： Chelsea aren’t having the best of seasons by any means. But even now, I wouldn’t write them off just yet. Retaining the title is not out of the realms of possibility and any footballer can recognise that. They have quality players, a proven manager and the experience to get themselves out of a position like the one they find themselves in.
So what did Steven Pienaar see? It certainly wasn’t a team currently in a false position. He compared them to the team in London everybody seems to be talking about. Tottenham are on the up, and the fact the South African midfielder chose North London over their rivals from the west of the capital, proves Spurs have to be classed in the same bracket as the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
The options available to Harry Redknapp will enable him to pursue his dream of bringing the Premier League title to White Hart Lane with even more conviction. It has been well documented that the majority of their goals come from Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart, but Pienaar can offer another dimension, a dimension Chelsea could really do with at the moment. Where they lack in confidence and a bit of quality, Tottenham already had plenty of it and Pienaar can only improve their attacking options.
I remember another one of the brightest talents in Premier League snubbing the champions: In 2003, Harry Kewell turned down a move to Manchester United in favour of their fierce rivals, Liverpool, because he wanted to join a team on the up. It didn’t quite work out like he would have liked, but the whole deal smelt of something corrupt anyway. It was ludicrous to think he turned down United because he felt they could no longer compete for major honours. If reports are to be believed, money traded hands unlawfully which was probably the biggest factor in his decision.
Pienaar’s move is completely different. If Chelsea wanted him as much as they say they did, they could have thrown plenty of money to get him to Stamford Bridge. Maybe they offered to. But the move is one full of ambition. Pienaar wants to be part of history in the making. Spurs have already upset the apple-cart once by breaking up the finishing top quartet last season, and who is to say now they can’t go one further? They certainly have the players now to do so. London’s champions will be looking over their shoulder at two teams from North London now capable of stealing their crown.
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